Chapter Seven. Step 4: Don t Let Them Know Where You Live

Chapter Seven. Step 4: Don't Let Them Know Where You Live

A man approached me after one of my lectures on online safety. He was well dressed and exhibited a professional, confident attitude. But there was an undercurrent of unease I commonly see after my online safety presentations as people reflect on their own online postings. They wonder whether they are comfortable with the choices they have made.

Ed told me his 15-year-old son had been blogging for a year or so, and he wanted him to know about the dangers I'd just outlined. But, Ed said with a touch of sadness in his expression, he felt his son, John, wouldn't listen to him. He asked if I'd take a look at John's blog and send him a note about any ways in which he might be putting himself at risk.

I reviewed John's site that evening. Here's a portion of the letter I wrote to John:

"You have a cool blog, and you're young, good-looking, and invincible, right? Maybe not. Let me start by saying your dad didn't give me any information about you other than a link to your space. No tricks involved.

"From your blog, I know your full name, age, school, city, and that you're new to the school and want a girlfriend. How long does it take me to find you at your school or your house just by using the information you provided in your blog? Do these aerial photos look familiar? [See Figures 7-1 and 7-2 on the next page.]

Figure 7-1. John's school

Figure 7-2. John's house

"Your blog shows your folks can afford to send you to private schools, and you mention flat-screen TVs and other expensive stuff in your house. Think about how easy it would be for someone who can already get your address to break in to your home, or pass the info to someone else who is looking for flat-screen TVs to steal.

"Think the only people reading your blog are your friends? Think again."